U.S. patent application number 14/708396 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-17 for fastening device template.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charles BEAULIEU. Invention is credited to Charles BEAULIEU.
Application Number | 20160333916 14/708396 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57276780 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160333916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BEAULIEU; Charles |
November 17, 2016 |
FASTENING DEVICE TEMPLATE
Abstract
A fastening device template for joining mosaic pieces together
having two variants that are easy to install by unskilled labor so
as to help them achieve professional result. The device can be for
assembling individual planks that together make up a floor covering
such as solid wood flooring and engineered flooring, or it can be
used for tiles. It can also be used to assemble individual parts
which, together, create a piece of furniture. In this application,
the generic term "mosaic" or "mosaic units" will be used to
describe the individual pieces which, as indicated hereinabove,
have a multitude of possible uses. Mosaic units can be assembled in
all possible XYZ plans: side-to-side, side-to-face, side-to-end,
end-to-end, end-to-face. In order to do so, the invention has an
elongated clip core. At least one wing member attached to and
extending a portion of the length of the clip core, and resilient
leg members adapted to be frictionally inserted within a groove of
a mosaic piece.
Inventors: |
BEAULIEU; Charles;
(St-Just-de-Bretenieres, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BEAULIEU; Charles |
St-Just-de-Bretenieres |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
57276780 |
Appl. No.: |
14/708396 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04F 15/02038 20130101;
E04F 2201/0511 20130101; E04F 2201/0115 20130101; F16B 5/002
20130101; A47B 2230/0081 20130101; F16B 12/125 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 21/08 20060101
F16B021/08; F16B 5/00 20060101 F16B005/00; E04B 1/61 20060101
E04B001/61; F16B 12/10 20060101 F16B012/10 |
Claims
1. In combination with at least two mosaic pieces each having a
groove, a fastening device for joining said two mosaic pieces
together, said device comprising an elongated clip core comprising;
at least one wing member, each said wing terminated by a
perpendicular protruding tip; said at least one wing member
attached to and extending a portion of the length of said clip
core, said at least one wing member consisting of a resilient leg
member adapted to flex and be inserted within said groove of said
mosaic piece; each said groove being longitudinal with ends
terminated by protruding void tip at a distal end thereof and said
fastening device being inserted into each said groove of said
mosaic pieces until said elongated clip core ended by said
protruding tips coincides inside said groove, with said protruding
tips of said fastening device coinciding inside said protruding
void tips of each said groove to thereby hold said mosaic pieces
together.
2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said fastening device
comprises two wing members.
3. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein said fastening device
can be made from a material chosen from a list of materials
including plastic, metal, ferrous material, and wood.
4. A method of using the fastening device for joining mosaic pieces
of claim 2, said method comprising the steps of: a.) providing at
least two mosaic pieces having predetermined sized and shaped
grooves on their sides, ends or faces and extending along their
lengths, said grooves comprising a 90.degree. return destined to
catch a toe of a footlike piece; b.) providing a fastening device
between each adjoining pair of mosaic pieces, and inserting said
fastening device within said respective grooves as far as engaging
said groove of said toe of said mosaic pieces together; wherein
said fastening devices each comprise two wing members attached at
and extending from opposite sides of said clip core and extending a
portion of the length of said clip core, each said two wings is
adapted to be inserted within said grooves of said adjacent mosaic
pieces, and wherein each wing member has a protruding toe tip at a
distal end thereof, such that said protruding tips extend in
opposite directions from one another; and wherein each wing member
and protruding tip is adapted to complementarily fit within said
configured and sized opening of respective said adjacent mosaic
pieces.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein each said two wing members
comprising a two leg members adapted to be inserted within said
grooves of said adjacent mosaic pieces, and wherein each leg member
has a protruding toe tip at a distal end thereof, such that said
protruding tips extend in opposite directions from one another; and
wherein each leg member and protruding tip is adapted to
complementarily fit within said configured and sized opening of
respective said adjacent mosaic pieces.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation in part of the
application U.S. Ser. No. 13/042,594 filed on Mar. 8, 2015 by the
same inventor and having same title.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to fastening means
but more particularly to a fastening device template used for
joining mosaics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are many types of fastening means used for assembling
parts together such as for building furniture or joining pieces of
lumber or planks such as for flooring for example. These fastening
means come in the forms of mortise and tenon; tongue and groove;
dovetail; dowel; biscuit; etc.
[0004] A fastening means of particular relevance is that of U.S.
Pat. No. 7,021,019 by Knauseder. However, that patent bears some
striking differences as it is used for a different use.
TABLE-US-00001 Beaulieu Knauseder Longitudinal profile of the clip.
Horizontally flat configuration Protruding tips. of the clip.
Clipped in a groove or Tapered arms. channel. Clipped in a recess.
Clip and groove profile need Clip and recess do not need to to fit
perfectly. be manufactured with great Clip that can slide along the
accuracy. groove. Clip that cannot slide within Clip inserted in a
plan the recess. perpendicular to the surface Clip inserted is only
feasable of the board (side) for flooring in a plan parallel to the
applications, and on every surface of the panel other possible
plane of mosaic (underside). pieces for applications such Panels
still require a tongue & as cabinet box construction. a groove.
Groove & groove profile (no tongue).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is a main advantage of this invention to provide for a
fastening device template that is easy to install by unskilled
labor so as to help them achieve professional result. The
application can be for assembling individual planks that together
make up a floor covering such as solid wood flooring and engineered
flooring, or it can be used for tiles. It can also be used to
assemble individual parts which, together, create a piece of
furniture. In this application, the generic term "mosaic" or
"mosaic units" will be used to describe the individual pieces
which, as indicated hereinabove, have a multitude of possible uses.
Mosaic units can be assembled in all possible XYZ planes:
side-to-side, side-to-face, side-to-end, end-to-end, end-to-face,
face-to-face.
[0006] In order to do so, the invention provides a fastening device
in combination with at least two mosaic pieces each having a
groove; the fastening device is for joining both two mosaic pieces
together. The device comprising an elongated clip core comprising
at least one wing member, each wing terminated by a perpendicular
protruding tip. The at least one wing member attached to and
extending the length of the clip core.
[0007] The wing member consisting of a resilient leg member adapted
to flex and be inserted within the groove of the mosaic piece.
[0008] Each groove of each mosaic being longitudinal with
protruding void tip at a distal end thereof, and the fastening
device being inserted into each groove of the mosaic pieces until
the elongated clip core ended by the protruding tips coincides
inside the groove, with the protruding tips of the fastening device
coinciding inside the protruding void tips channel of each the
groove to thereby hold the mosaic pieces together. The fastening
device may comprise two wing members.
Types of Fastening Devices:
[0009] The first variant (FIGS. 1 and 3) comprises an elongated
clip core, at least one wing member attached to and extending the
length of the clip core, the at least one wing member ends by a
protruding tip. The wing member and the protruding tip are
configured and sized to be frictionally inserted within a sized
groove of a mosaic piece to thereby frictionally hold the mosaic
piece to a chosen support member or hold the mosaic to another
mosaic piece.
[0010] The sized groove comprises a longitudinal channel with a
protruding void tip channels at a distal end thereof, such that the
at least one wing member are adapted to be frictionally inserted
within the longitudinal channel and the protruding tip are
configured and sized to be frictionally inserted within the
protruding void tip channel.
[0011] The clip core of the first variant further includes a
resilient central large protruding tip adapted to further increase
the friction between the fastening device and the mosaic piece.
[0012] The fastening device can be made from a material chosen from
a list of materials including plastic, metal, and ferrous material
or wood.
[0013] The second variant (FIGS. 2 and 4) of the fastening device
has an elongated clip core. Two wings member attached to and
extending the length of the clip core, each wing member consisting
of two resilient leg members adapted to flex and be frictionally
inserted within corresponding groove of a mosaic piece, to thereby
frictionally hold the mosaic piece to a chosen support member or to
another mosaic piece.
[0014] Furthermore each leg member has a protruding tip at a distal
end thereof, such that the protruding tip extends in opposite
directions from one another; and wherein each leg member and
protruding tip is adapted to fit within a complementary configured
and sized groove of the mosaic pieces, such groove is having a
longitudinal void channel with protruding void tip channel at a
distal end thereof, such that the fastening device leg member fill
the space in the longitudinal void channel and the fastening device
protruding tip fill the space in the protruding void tip channel of
the groove.
Other Variants of Fastening Devices:
[0015] (FIG. 5) A fastening device having two distant protruding
tips instead of a central large protruding tip. Such device may be
used for connecting two mosaics having a V-shaped space in
between.
[0016] (FIG. 9) A variant of the previous model is a fastening
device comprising one pair of wings extending the length at one
side of the clip core and the other side of the clip core is ending
with a larger tip to be frictionally inserted or screwed inside a
piece of furniture for furniture.
[0017] (FIG. 6) The legs may be toothed.
[0018] (FIG. 8) The legs may be crossed.
[0019] (FIG. 7) The clip core may be shaped rectangular (or with
square angles) so as the protruding tips.
[0020] (FIG. 10) A fastening device having a longitudinal clip core
ending with circular rings to be frictionally inserted inside a
sized groove of a mosaic piece to thereby frictionally hold the
mosaic piece to another mosaic piece or to a chosen support member.
The circular rings are compressed during the insertion inside the
grooves and expand to their initial shape inside the grooves.
[0021] All those variants can be made from a material chosen from a
list of materials including plastic, metal, ferrous material, and
wood.
[0022] The present invention also describes a method of joining
mosaic pieces together; such method comprises the following
steps:
a.) providing at least two mosaic pieces having predetermined sized
and shaped grooves on their sides, said grooves ends or faces and
extending along the lengths of the mosaics. b1.) Providing a
fastening device between each adjoining pair of mosaic pieces, and
inserting the fastening device within the respective grooves to
thereby frictionally hold the mosaic pieces together; wherein the
fastening devices each comprise two wing members attached and
extending from opposite sides of the clip core and extending the
length of the clip core. Both wing members end by a protruding tip
(FIG. 1). Each wing member and their protruding tips are
frictionally inserted within corresponding grooves of the adjacent
mosaic pieces to thereby frictionally hold them together. Each
groove of each mosaic comprises a longitudinal channel with a
protruding void tip channels at a distal end thereof, such that the
wing member are frictionally inserted within the longitudinal
channel and the protruding tips are frictionally inserted within
the protruding void tip channel. b2.) Providing a fastening device
between each adjoining pair of mosaic pieces, and inserting the
fastening device within the respective grooves to thereby
frictionally hold the mosaic pieces together; wherein the fastening
devices each comprise two wing members attached and extending a
portion of the length of the clip core. Both wings member each
consisting of resilient leg members adapted to be frictionally
inserted within the grooves of the adjacent mosaic pieces, and
wherein each leg member has a protruding tip at a distal end
thereof, such that the protruding tips extend in opposite
directions from one another; and wherein each leg member and
protruding tip is adapted to complementarily fit within the
configured and sized groove of respective adjacent mosaic
pieces.
[0023] The groove is having a longitudinal void channel with a
protruding void tip channel at a distal end thereof, such that the
fastening device wing members fill the space in the longitudinal
void channel and the fastening device protruding tips fill the
space in the protruding void tip channel of the groove.
[0024] The method of joining mosaic pieces, wherein step a.)
further includes placing glue within the grooves of the mosaic
pieces before placing the fastening devices therein, to thereby
further strengthen the final connection between respective mosaic
pieces.
[0025] The method of joining mosaic pieces, wherein the fastening
device can be made from a material chosen from a list of materials
including plastic, metal, ferrous material, and wood.
[0026] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0027] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Such as
the previously listed side-to-side, side-to-face, side-to-end,
end-to-end, end-to-face, face-to-face configurations. The invention
is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried
out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0028] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0029] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
[0030] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 Isometric view of a first variant of the invention
showing insertion through the side of a mosaic.
[0032] FIG. 2 Isometric view of a second variant of the invention
showing insertion through the side of a mosaic.
[0033] FIGS. 3a-b End view, and end view detail, respectively, of
the invention of FIG. 1 in context of use in a side by side mosaic
configuration.
[0034] FIG. 3c End view detail of two pieces of the invention of
FIG. 1 in context of use in a side by side mosaic
configuration.
[0035] FIGS. 4a-b End view, and end view detail, respectively, of
the invention of FIG. 2 in context of use in a side by side mosaic
configuration.
[0036] FIGS. 5a-b shows a first variant of FIG. 1 with two distant
tips below.
[0037] FIGS. 6a-c shows a first variant FIG. 2 with toothed
legs.
[0038] FIGS. 7a-b shows a second variant of FIG. 2 with square
angles.
[0039] FIGS. 8a-b shows a third variant of FIG. 2 with crossed
legs.
[0040] FIGS. 9a-b shows a fourth variant of FIG. 2 with a tip for
insertion at one end.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a second variant of FIG. 1 with two circular
rings ending longitudinal clip core.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] In the following description and in the accompanying
drawings, the reference numerals refer to identical parts in the
various figures.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a fastening device (10) having a clip core (12)
and wings (14). The clip core is having a central large protruding
tip (37), the ends thereof are wings (14), and each wing (14) is
ending by a protruding tip (34). The protruding tips (24) are
configured and sized for frictional insertion into complementarily
configured and sized grooves (18) formed by a longitudinal channel
(18') with protruding void tip channel (18'') at a distal end
thereof.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a second variant (10') of the fastening device
having a clip core (12') between two wings (15,15'). Each wing
generally consists in twin legs (16) that are resiliently flexible
to allow for frictional insertion into a groove made within a
plank, board, piece of furniture henceforth referred to as a mosaic
(20). Each leg is ending by a protruding tip.
[0045] FIGS. 3a-3b show the fastening device (10') which connects
two mosaics (20) placed side by side.
[0046] FIG. 3c shows two fastening devices (10) disposed against
each other so that their central large protruding tips are pressed
together. Both pieces connect two mosaics (20) placed side by side.
The protruding tips of both fastening devices are configured and
sized for frictional insertion into complementarily configured and
sized grooves made in the mosaics (20).
[0047] As seen in FIGS. 4a-4b, the fastening device (10') with a
central large protruding tip (37) at the clip core (12') is
frictionally interacting a part of the mosaic (20). The use of
resilient deformation for insertion of one element into another
element wherein both elements present complementarily configured
and sized shapes is known in the art and need not be further
discussed herein.
[0048] FIGS. 5a-5b show variants (24) of the fastening device of
FIG. 1 which have two protruding tips (22,22') instead of the
central large protruding tip (37). Such device (24) may be used for
connecting two mosaics (20) with a V-shaped space in between.
[0049] FIGS. 6a-c show first variants (26,26',26'') of FIG. 2 with
toothed legs and clip cores in a rectangular shape.
[0050] FIGS. 7a-b show second variants (28,28') of FIG. 2 with all
the angles square.
[0051] FIGS. 8a-b show third variants (36,36') of FIG. 2 with
crossed legs.
[0052] FIGS. 9a-b show fourth variants (32,32') of FIG. 2 having a
pair of wings (15) at a side of the clip core (12') and the other
side of the clip core is ending with a tip to be frictionally
inserted or screwed inside a piece of furniture for furniture.
[0053] FIG. 10 show a second variant of FIG. 1 having circular
rings (52,52') ending a longitudinal clip core (12) instead of
protruding tips. The circular rings are configured and sized for
frictional insertion into complementarily configured and sized
grooves, during the insertion the circular rings are compressed and
they expand to their initial shape inside the groove.
[0054] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and
operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent
from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion
relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
[0055] With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as
illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further,
since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention
to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
PARTS
[0056] 10 Fastening device [0057] 10' Second variant fastening
device [0058] 12,12' Clip cores [0059] 14 Wing [0060] 15,15'
Opposite pair of wings [0061] 16 Legs member [0062] 18 Groove
[0063] 18' Longitudinal channel of the groove 18 [0064] 18''
Protruding void tip channel of the groove 18 [0065] 20 Mosaics
[0066] 22,22' Two distant protruding tips [0067] 24 Fastening
device having protruding tips 22,22' [0068] 34 Protruding tip
[0069] 37 Central large protruding tip [0070] 26,26',26'' Fastening
devices with toothed legs [0071] 28,28' Fastening devices having
square angles. [0072] 32,32' Fastening devices ending with tips for
insertion [0073] 42 A tip for insertion by friction [0074] 42' A
screwed tip [0075] 44 Exterior angle of the protruding void tip
channel 18'' [0076] 46 Tiny space [0077] 48 Angle of about
0.5.degree. [0078] 50 Fastening device with circular rings ending
the core [0079] 52,52' Circular rings
* * * * *